Armed gang hits Abul Khair plant again; three arrested
Police said drives are underway to arrest the remaining suspects.
An armed gang attacked an Abul Khair steel plant in Sitakunda early today (13 April), marking the eighth robbery there in the past one and a half years, with three suspects detained after a confrontation with Ansar personnel.
The incident occurred at Abul Khair Steel Melting Limited in the Shitalpur area around 5:30 in the early morning, according to factory officials.
Around 20 to 25 armed assailants entered the premises from the eastern side and attempted to flee with valuables, including copper, motors and electrical cables. On-duty Ansar personnel intervened, triggering a confrontation.
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Ansar members fired four blank rounds in self-defence, dispersing the attackers. They later chased the group and detained three suspects, while others escaped with looted goods.
The detainees were identified as Javed, 27, and Sharifur Rahman, 28, both from Sonachhari union in Sitakunda, and Russel, 29, from Begumganj in Noakhali.
Factory officials said the plant has faced repeated security breaches despite multiple cases and general diaries filed with police, the perpetrators remain active.
They alleged that an organised group has been trying to disrupt factory operations through repeated attacks.
The most recent prior incident occurred on 26 February, when another armed group carried out a late-night robbery at the same facility. Locals detained seven suspects and handed them over to police.
Imrul Kader Bhuiyan, deputy general manager (HR and Admin), said some looted electrical cables and locally made sharp weapons were recovered from the detainees.
Following the latest attack, security has been reinforced at the factory with additional internal staff and Ansar deployment.
Officer-in-charge of Sitakunda Model Police Station Mohinul Islam said a case has been filed. The three detainees were shown arrested and sent to court on Monday, where a judge ordered them to jail.
Police said drives are underway to arrest the remaining suspects.
He confirmed the facility has been repeatedly targeted, with eight cases filed so far and several suspects arrested.
